Monday 25 May 2015

Seoul 2014: Day 7 (Myeongdong Cathedral 서울 명동성당 - Namsan Tower N 서울타워)

Hey everyone! Alright I know I've got too much catching up to do so I'm just gonna get to it.

Click on this link to check out what finds I had while roaming around Myeongdong at night on Day 6 of my Seoul 2014 trip:
http://vanvanscully.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/seoul-2014-day-6-night-roaming-in.html
Click on this link to check out my exploration of Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung on Day 8 of my Seoul 2014 trip:
http://vanvanscully.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/seoul-2014-day-8-angel-in-us-coffee.html

Day 7 of my Seoul 2014 trip I decided to explore my surroundings around the residence that I was living at.

Just a view of the residence corridor which I took a picture of as I was waiting for the lift.
The statue of Mother Mary at Myeongdong Cathedral 명동성당.

Compulsory tourist shot for my first visit here.

My verdict? If you're looking for a little peace and quiet, or somewhere to pray (if you're Catholic)  this is a good place to go to. The church grounds are really peaceful and quiet. Most devotees here come over to pray for a short while before they head back to the urban jungle to go about their busy lives. If you're busy, a photo outside should be sufficient.


Myeongdong Cathedral 서울 명동성당
74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 중구 명동길 74 (명동2가)
Telephone: +82-2-774-1784 | Opening Hours: Tue-Sun (9am-9pm), Sat (9am-8pm), (Closed on Mon)
How to Get Here: Alight at Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 8
                                Walk along Toegyero-gil st. for about 300m and turn right at the intersection.
                                Walk along Myeongdong-gil st. for 100m to the Catholic Center
                                Walk up along the center.

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Spent the afternoon in Myeongdong shopping and walking around and in the evening I went to Namsan Tower. On google maps and naver maps, it seemed like the residence I was staying in is really near Namsan Tower. Its a lie however - taking the detour to Namsan Tower through Namsan Park may kill you before you reach the peak haha. Take the glass elevator. ALWAYS. Especially if you are travelling with older folks or very young children. The uphill climb throughout Namsan Park is not suitable for all travellers.

The view of the buildings surrounding Namsan Park.
The view of Namsan Park after climbing that steep slope and hill.
Still climbing up the longest path ever to Namsan Tower - not even there yet.
Finally here - this pavillion is where the tower is.
Love-lock trees which are insanely over-filled.
View of Seoul from the peak of Namsan Tower.
Panorama to commemorate my trip here.
On board the cable car to head back down to Myeongdong.
City view from the cable car.
View from the top of the glass elevator. Upon exiting the cable car, you should approach this glass elevator which will take you back down to the main streets of Myeongdong.
Back on the ground with Shinsegae as the perfect Christmas-y landmark.
  
My verdict? Namsan Tower is definitely one of the must-go tourist spots in Seoul. You get a breathtaking view of the city whether you are there in the day or at night. If you're willing to spend more money, there are  restaurants located in Namsan Tower as well. If you're unable to make the trip to Jeju Island, the other Teddy Bear museum is located right here in the Namsan Tower. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Just make sure you take the glass elevator up to Namsan Tower and not the detour through Namsan Park. Once you head to Namsan Park there is no turning back and you will have to endure the longest ever uphill walk which is so taxing you will be too tired by the time you reach the peak.

Namsan Tower, N Seoul Tower, N 서울타워
105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가)
Telephone: +82-2-3455-9277, 9288 | Website: nseoultower.co.kr (Korean, English)
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, Sunday
                                           Observatory: 10:00-23:00
                                           Restaurant: 11:00-23:00
                                Saturday
                                           Observatory: 10:00-24:00
                                           Restaurants (n.GRILL/Hancook): 11:00-23:00
                                           The place dining: 11:00-24:00 (Last seating: 23:00)
Admission Fees: [CABLE CAR] - Operating hours: 10:00-23:00
                              Individuals (return ticket): Adults 8,500 won / Children 5,500 won
                              Individuals (one-way ticket): Adults 6,000 won / Children 3,500 won  
                              [OBSERVATORY]
                              Adults 9,000 won / Children 7,000 won
       
How to Get Here: Upon getting off from Myeong-dong Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), take the exit
                                 which says N Seoul Tower. Walk for about 15 minutes to reach the street next to
                                 Pacific Hotel. Use the glass elevator to go up. The boarding place for the cable car
                                 should be here. Take the cable car up to reach the tower.

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Uijeongbu Budae Jiggae 의정부 부대찌개 for Dinner at Myeongdong 명동
-Not too bad but definitely not one of the restaurants I would recommend within Myeongdong unless you've run out of places to eat.


That's all for Day 7. Check out my next post where I spent my last day in Seoul exploring the tranquil beautiful palace grounds of Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung.

BTW: I now have a facebook page! Hit me up with a like for more updates and links to my new posts:
https://www.facebook.com/thehungryvan

Till then,

Fly Safe and Eat Happy,
V

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